Carlos Sainz: From Polite Racer to Fierce Contender

Carlos Sainz embraces his father’s advice, adopting a more aggressive approach to succeed in the fiercely competitive world of F1.

Current Ferrari driver and future Williams F1 driver, Carlos Sainz is regarded as one of the paddock’s key figures.

But how would you describe the man behind the driver? If he had to define himself in three words, what would Carlos Sainz say? He opened up more deeply to the FOM:

“I would say I am thoughtful, rational, and good at table football.”

What is the Spaniard’s best quality?

“I hate talking about myself. I really don’t like being asked these kinds of questions because I believe there are already too many people in the paddock analyzing and telling others who I am. I leave that to others! What I can tell you based on what people say is what I mentioned: rational, thoughtful, strategic, things like that. But honestly, I am what people say. I don’t like talking about myself!”

Is it possible to have friends in the paddock—friends who are also fellow drivers?

“I obviously have friends within the team… Outside… Friend is a strong word that I don’t like to use for anyone or anything. Of all the drivers and engineers, I’d say my best relationship in the paddock is still with Lando [Norris] and some of the engineers I’ve worked with—Tom Stallard, Ricky [Riccardo Adami]—with whom I have really good relationships.”

During his rise, what was the best advice Carlos Sainz received? Did it come from his father?

“I always say more or less the same thing, which is that I remember when I started karting at 10 or 11 years old, I was a bit too nice and polite with other drivers, always thinking everyone was my friend. My father told me that in this sport, it’s either bite or get bitten, and that I’d better start biting now. Since then, I’ve become someone who always tries to push and bite!”

And the worst advice?

“I’d say things like ‘be careful,’ the kind of advice that holds you back. When someone tells you to take it easy, you always go in with a bit of fear, without wanting to push all the way. I always perform at my best when I’m not worried about the situation and have only one mindset, which is to go for it. I think that’s the best mentality you can have in any condition, in any sport, in anything.”

If Carlos Sainz hadn’t been a Formula 1 driver, what would he have done? Could he see himself as a coach or physical trainer for a driver?

“I wouldn’t mind that, actually! I’d also like to be a strategist for a day, maybe a team principal for a month, just to see how things work. Things like that!”

“To try out all the roles. Be a race engineer, be on the radio with the driver, talking to them, because I know what the driver wants and needs. That’s what I’d like to do—to gain experience in every area.”

Does Carlos Sainz still see himself at Williams F1 in five years? What’s his goal by 2030?

“I see myself somewhere I can be a world champion. Either I would already be one, or I’d want to be on the verge of it! But I want to be in the right place, at the right time, aiming to be a world champion!”